Behind the Television Appearance

*UPDATED MARCH 8 See video link and photo gallery at the end of the post.

To my utter astonishment, I’m going to appear on a local morning show, New Day Cleveland, tomorrow! As the big moment approaches, a gambit of emotions runs through me, ranging from excitement and delight to anxiousness and alarm!

I couldn’t rightly claim I’ve never envisioned being on television. In fact, one of my dad’s ways of occupying me as a kid was to set up our clunky video camera and let me put on whatever production I set my heart to. I’d perform in various ways, starring in my own exercise show, movie, and put on a news broadcast about the unfolding drama going on in the family.

Once adolescence hit, however, I shied away from the spotlight a bit more, growing self-conscience about my differences as a disabled person. Like I shared in Behind the Public Speaker, I’ve contended with insecurities about my speech, so I’ve passed on opportunities to perform outside of my living room. The most boldness I could muster was to act in an improv scene or give a speech in front of my friends and family.

When I set off to become a published author, I resigned myself to the fact that I’d probably have to make appearances for marketing purposes. Thankfully, a former teacher had already started having me talk to his class, so that elevated my courage to pursue other venues. With bated breath, I tiptoed into making myself available to local news stations to promote my work. I never garnered a response, though…which both disappointed me and relieved me all at the same time!

Fast-forward eight years, and a very good friend asked me if I’d ever tried to book a television appearance before. I explained that I had reached out but didn’t get anywhere. As a loyal watcher of New Day Cleveland, she offered to contact the anchor to try to get me on the program. I acquiesced but maintained my doubts that anything would come of it. Weeks passed, and neither of us heard back, which lived up to my expectations.

Where I’d tapped on the figurative door and then darted into the bushes, my friend kept her feet planted on the threshold and kept knocking away! She made several attempts to connect me with the show, even calling the station’s headquarters. Her persistence paid off when the host, Natalie Herbick, finally called me early last month to invite me on for an interview.

My cynicism caught up with me, on the other hand, as I neglected to retrieve my phone and instead delegated my mom to answer it. Not very tech savvy, she couldn’t swipe the accept button in the right way before the call went to voicemail. After playing some phone and email tag, Natalie and I spoke at last and firmed up a date—March 7 A.K.A. TOMORROW!

As I type with jittery nerves, I’m full of gratitude and admiration over my friend’s resilient belief in me. People know me as a determined, unstoppable individual, but I often need a nudge to propel me past my inadequacies toward my goal. Everybody needs that champion from time to time, with no one being fully self-reliant. The important part is accepting that boost, along with providing such moral support to others to give them the lift they need.